Slot-lock for cuff links and the like



Sept. 1, 1959 J, w, WYATT 2,901,797

SLOT-LOCK FOR CUFF LINKS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 25, 1955 lullinp IHIH] INVENTOR. JOHN W. WYATT United States Patent g I 2,901,797 SLOT-LOCK For: 'LINKS AND THE LIKE Jo'hnW. Wyatt, New Canaan, Conn. Application August 2s, -1-95s, Serial No. 530,505

' 1 Claim. c1. 24-109 Thisinvention relates to new and useful improvements in cuff link findings or backs to be used in jewelry.

- M e Part y, e. p e ent instan -i n Proposes the construction of an improved cuff link finding which will permit the use of double links for each cuif without the need of the ornamental portions of the link to pass through the cuff link openings of a shirt cuff.

As a further object, the present invention proposes forming the cuff link finding so as to permit the use of two cuff link designs, one inside and one outside, for each cuff link as opposed to the single design on cuff links fitted with a wing back.

It is understood that a double link for shirt cuffs has been in use for many years, the ornamental members of each link being held together by a chain. This type of link requires pushing one or both of the joined ornamental members throu gh the four holes or openings provided in the standard French cuff. Consequently, the size of the ornamental member is limited to the size of the holes or openings in the shirt oufi.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cuff link finding or back in two pieces which can be separated and rejoined by a bayonet type of structure so that the ornamental portions or members of the cuff link can be of the same size and shape better to serve its purposes of adornment in attire and complementing the clothing with which it is worn as well as holding together the doubled parts of a cuff on a shirt.

Still further, the present invention proposes forming a cuff link finding structure which will permit the cuff link to which it is secured to have a new use and design and size and not restrict the size of such ornamental portions of the cuff link to that which can be passed through the cuff link openings provided in the standard French cuff.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cuff link constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the two shank members or finding shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the cuff link assembled with parts of the ornamental flat face members broken away.

Fig. 5 is a side view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating another modification of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a male shank member for the female shank member and spring shown in Fig. 6.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a cuff link constructed and arranged in accordance with the first form of the present invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and designated generally by the reference numeral 15.

'two shank members 1 9 and 20 adapted to extend outwa rdi-y from the two cuff link faces 16 and 17 and through the four-cuff l-ink openings of a French cuff.

Shank member L9 is amalernember and shank member 20 a female member. Female member 20 has an axial opening 2140 receive themale member 19 and also has'a side wall 22' a bayonet slot 23 extending into stheraxial opening 21. 1

A-lb -YQJlQ lug 24 is provided .on the male member 19 from.v the fneesus Zest-the malemember. 0n

the free end 25 of the male member is mounted a leaf spring 26.

Leaf spring 26 has a fixed leg 27 secured to the free end 25 of the male member 19 and a movable leg 28 extending from one end 29 of the fixed leg 27.

The operation of the finding or back 18 is simple. The male and female shank members 19 and 20 are inserted through the cuff link openings at each end of a folded back French cuff and the male member 19 is inserted in the female member with the bayonet lug 24 of the male member in the bayonet slot of the female member. The leaf spring 26 is compressed against the inner end 30 of the axial opening in the female member 20 and continuously biases the bayonet lug in the notch 31 of the bayonet slot 23. The bayonet lug is so positioned on the male member 19 for the ornamental fiat face members 16 and 17 to be in opposed alignment on either side of acufi.

The modification of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5 is characterized by the provision of a male shank member 35 and a female shank member 36 with a coil spring 37 for the female shank member to form a finding or back 38.

Female shank member 36 has an axial opening 39 to receive the male member 35 and also has a side wall 40 with a bayonet slot opening 41 to receive a bayonet lug or raised portion 42 provided on the male member and spaced from the free end 43 of the male member.

Female shank member 36 has in its axial recess 39 abutments 44 adjacent the inner end 45 of the axial recess.

Coil spring 37 is provided with a pair of plates 46 and 47 both adapted to fit with the coil spring inside the axial opening 39 of the female member 36 between the inner end 45 and the free end 43 of the male member. When the spring is in position in the recess 39, plate 47 thereof seats on the base or inner end 45 of the recess and plate 46 interlocks with the abutments 44.

Male member 35 may be provided with an end lurg 48 to fit against an abutment 44 when the coil spring is compressed and the bayonet lug is in the bayonet slot. The lug 48 thus prevents outward movement of the male member 35.

The modification of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 is characterized by the provision of a male member 50 and a female member 51 and a spring insert 52 in the form or shape of a lock washer. Female member 51 has an axial recess 53 to receive the male member and has a bayonet slot 54. A groove 55 is provided in the axial recess 53 of the female member adjacent the inner end 56 of the opening 53 for the spring insert 52. Male member 50 is provided with a bayonet lug 57 to fit in the bayonet slot 54 of the female member. Bayonet lug 57 is spaced from the free end 58 of the male member. A raised portion 59 may also be provided on the male member spaced from the bayonet lug 57.

It is to be understood that this arrangement may be used in connection with all types of cuff links, tie clips, or any other ornament to make it interchangeable.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1s:

A cuff link finding comprising two shank members adapted to extend outwardly from two cuff link face members and through the four cuff link openings of a French cuff, one of said shank members being a male member and the other being a female member, said female member having an axial opening to receive the male member and a side Wall with a bayonet slot extending into the axial opening, a bayonet lug on the male 20 member to lock the male member in the axial opening of the female member, and resilient means to bias the male member bayonet lug against the wall of the bayonet slot of the female member, said resilient means being a coil spring adapted to fit in the axial opening of the female member and abut the free end of the male member, said female member havingspring abutments formed on the wall of the axial opening, a pair of plates secured to the ends of the springs, said abutments being swedge portions spaced at a plurality of places around the wall of the axial opening, said swedge portions being adapted removably to hold one of the plates of the spring, and a radial lug on the male member coacting with said abutments to prevent outward movement of said male member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 142,686 Durand Sept. 9, 1873 467,662 Keplinger Jan. 26, 1892 626,433 Libaire June 6, 1899 645,079 Finley Mar. 13, 1900 FOREIGN PATENTS 469,102 France May 11, 1914 

